Baby Passport Photo

[stevebedder]

Morning All,

I've been asked by a neighbour if I can get a shot of her 7 week old baby for a passport.

I want to make sure it's technically correct for the passport people so know it's got to be on a plain white background and straight on. But is there anything else I need to be aware of? Anyone had any issues taking & submitting passport photos?

Cheers

Steve

[Beaux Reflets]

Morning Steve,
The last one I did was for a similar aged babe. We used a pale / light blue ground sheet spread out in the shade beneath the nut tree. Natural light on a bright day and no flash. I took a dozen shots in between usual funny baby looks and then let the mum choose the one to print out to size. No problems 

[Hinfrance]

Steve, you cannot have a plain white background (but as white turns grey if it is not illuminated to the same intensity as the subject you can usually get away with a white backdrop).

You can get an explanatory leaflet from the Post Office - although rather hilariously one of their examples of 'OK' doesn't actually meet their written requirements - I'll leave you to work out which one it is . . .

The hard part with babies is keeping them still enough. Good luck

[stevebedder]

Thanks both, thats really ueful information 

[Hinfrance]

Steve, I've edited my reply while you were typing yours . .

[Reinardina]

Don't want to discourage you, but I've heard horror stories about passport photographs. If you go through the post office, it also seems to depend on the person behind the counter accepting (or not) the particular image.
It has to be spot on and then some!
I'm talking adult (passport) photos now. Don't know too much about baby photos.

For my (Dutch) passport I also need one of those 'wanted' style pictures. Absolutely horrible! In my case it's the consul who decides which photo he accepts or refuses. Last time, he was doubtful whether or not it met the standards, and he wanted me to have another one taken.
I pointed out, I had it taken by a proper photographer in the Netherlands who guaranteed they met the standards. He relented and thank goodness the embassy in London made no problems. Wouldn't have liked to have to go back and admit defeat!

[Hinfrance]

You're right Re, they are very fussy, but it's not too difficult to get right - I have renewed all of our passports in the last twelve months. I took all the photo's myself.

Just make the baby take of its glasses and play some Andrew Lloyd Webber music so it looks good and grumpy 

[Reinardina]

At least the baby is young enough not to show teeth!

[skellum]

Here is a link to all the requirements  www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Passports